Commercial Frozen Yogurt Machines

One of the first and most important purchases when opening a frozen yogurt shop is frozen yogurt machines. Depending on your shop concept, self serve or traditional, you may need more than one machine.

Some of the well known brands are Stoelting, Taylor, and Electro Freeze, however, there are some companies based overseas who make similar products at a lower cost.

Here are the top 5 tips when shopping for frozen yogurt machines:

1. Should you Buy a Used Frozen Yogurt Machine?

You should be very cautious when purchasing a used machine as the life expectancy of most machines is about 12 years. Many used machines are close to or beyond the life expectancy. This could result in pricey repairs and needing a replacement sooner than later. It can also be difficult to find matching machines if you are looking to purchase more than one.

2. Gravity or Pressurized?

Many franchises favor the gravity style frozen yogurt machines because of their simplicity and ease of use. Many independent shop owners choose pressurized machines because they are more economical and produce a higher volume of product, however, the initial cost is higher. A new gravity style machine will cost around $14,000 whereas a pressurized machine costs around $17,000-$19,000.

3. Meet with the Distributor

Seeing the equipment in person allows you to get a feel of the quality, and gives you the opportunity to test the machines to see how they work. The distributor will often demonstrate the machine so you can see how to use it and taste the end product. This can also be helpful as you can test the type of frozen yogurt mix they use.

4. Ask about Service & Warranty

It’s very important to make sure you will have peace of mind when it comes to purchasing an expensive piece of equipment. Find out what type of service and warranty the distributor offers. It’s helpful to find a distributor with a location in your area, that way they can easily service your equipment should you ever have a problem.

5. Choose the Right Size Frozen Yogurt Machines

When you are shopping for frozen yogurt machines, you can choose a counter-top or floor model. In most cases a counter-top model will not be sufficient as it is meant for restaurants or cafes that don’t serve a high volume of frozen yogurt. If your main product is frozen yogurt you will most likely need a floor model.

With all of the brands, options, and technology available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right machine for your shop. Take the time to research a variety of machines in different price ranges and see what best fits your needs.